Beazley last man standing

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Kim Beazley will outline his vision for the federal Labor Party
on Friday when he is officially returned as opposition leader after
three years out of the job.

But Mr Beazley is under pressure from Labor MPs to introduce a
more inclusive style of leadership than the one he employed during
his last stint as Labor leader from 1996 to 2001.

He was assured of regaining the position today when his only
potential rival, Labor's health spokeswoman Julia Gillard, bowed to
reality and pulled out of the race.

Mr Beazley immediately went into leadership mode, congratulating
Australian of the Year Fiona Wood on her award, speaking against
the full sale of Telstra and promising to revive interest in
Australia becoming a republic.

Asked about the party's direction under his leadership, Mr
Beazley indicated he would make a statement after the caucus
ballot, saying: "All of that (is) for Friday''.

South Australian backbencher Rod Sawford denied that it would
send a bad message to the public that Mr Beazley was elected
unopposed, saying it would show instead that he was the best person
for the job.

"But I think, also, he will need to put across to the Australian
public, and also to some of the caucus, that he has in fact
genuinely changed and is looking forward to a changed modus
operandi to the one that he operated under before. And I think he
can do that,'' Mr Sawford told ABC radio.

Ms Gillard said the caucus wanted a new vision for Australia and
a new style of leadership.

She suggested that Mr Beazley should step down from his Right
faction while leader.

"Caucus colleagues, including those who have indicated support
for me and those who have not, have told me that they want to see
the courage to develop a bold new policy vision for Australia and
an inclusive style of leadership,'' Ms Gillard told reporters,
announcing her decision at an Australia Day function in
Melbourne.

"Our leader must lead Labor guided by the interests of all
Australians and advised by all in Labor caucus.

"Inclusion requires moving beyond one's traditional circle of
advisers and I believe it also requires the leader to stand aside
from former factional allegiances.''

Ms Gillard's decision not to run was praised by Labor premiers,
one time touted leadership contender Kevin Rudd, and Mr
Beazley.

But Mr Beazley would not be drawn on her suggestion he should
quit his faction, saying only that he believed the Australian
public wanted to hear what the Labor Party had to say, not what any
individual part of it thought.
He said Ms Gillard would keep the health portfolio and her role as
Opposition business leader in the House of Representatives.

Mr Beazley said he was confident the party would unite under his
leadership.

"The Labor Party has now an absolute hunger for unity and
effectiveness. We want to walk away from the disunity and
difficulties of the last few years,'' he said.

"You are going to see a Labor party that is rejuvenated by its
determination.''